Michael Crabtree transcript: ‘I felt like we should win all those big games. But this year is a test’

Michael Crabtree practiced. He practiced really well. Then Michael Crabtree spoke for the first time all training camp. He spoke really well.

Here is the transcript from our long-sought interview with the 49ers’ wideout:

You haven’t lost a step after missing these past two weeks?

“I’ve been here every day. There’s still some football to be played.”

Do you feel back to 100 percent?

“Yeah, I feel good. I feel good enough to practice a whole practice. I’m just taking it easy and doing whatever they say to do.”

You and Kaepernick back where you were or are you better?

“We’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s what practice is for, just really getting that feel for it. Coming into camp, we had a lot of things to correct from last year, you know what I’m saying, and the year before. Just trying to get better as a whole, as receivers, as tight ends, everybody.”

By not practicing for two weeks, that hasn’t hurt that ability to get better?

“Nah. Two weeks? How many weeks we have?”

Until the season starts?

“How many?”

Three week.

“We’re good.”

So you’re planning on practicing from here on out?

“Yeah! Why not? That’s what I’m here for, to play football.”

Do you expect to play at all Sunday?

“Whatever coach says. If I go out there, I go out there.”

Coach Harbaugh has hinted through the offseason there might be more emphasis on the passing game and more three-receiver sets this year. Has that caught your ear?

“Whatever plan coach has for us, I’m just here to execute. Whether it’s running the ball, throwing the ball, I’m just looking to get better. Whatever coach says. If we’re going to spread it out, let’s spread it out. If we’re going to power run it, then power run it. I’m just one of those guys that all you’ve got to do is tell me, ‘Go.’ ”

How do you feel you were last year coming off that injury?

“I was like 230 pounds, 228 pounds, six months I just come off the Achilles and jumped in the game. That was just for my team, whatever coach needed from me. They said guys were struggling so whatever I can bring to the table. Last year I wasn’t 100 percent, you know what I’m saying? A lot of guys forget about that. You go out there, you’re playing and a they forget about your percent. I wasn’t 100 percent last year. This year it’s a different story. If I’m at 100 percent, you’re going to get my all.”

That Rams game, you were 225, 230 (pounds)?

“About 225.”

What are you now?

“210, 215.”

Colin said the end of the Seattle game weighed on him in the offseason as motivation. Same for you?

“Yes, always. I felt like we should win. I felt like we should win all those big games. But this year is a test. How are we going to do? How we going to come back? Are we going to come back stronger? I’m going to do all I can to get this receiver-quarterback connection the best we can be. You know, trying to go to the top. I’m trying to be one of the best out here. I see a lot of people talking about this and that. But when you turn that film on, you see football players, see guys that play with hearts, see guys that aren’t scared of nobody. That’s what I bring to the game. It’s going to be an exciting year. I can’t wait to get out there.”

Did you feel slow last year?

“Naw, it’s all football. I was fast enough to be on the field. But I wasn’t me. You guys have been here long enough. This is going on my sixth year. You know when I’m at my best, you know when I ain’t looking right.”

You started camp looking faster than ever. Did you feel that way, too?

“That’s a credit to my offseason trainer. I didn’t lay off this summer. All I did was work. Lot of work trying to get stronger, faster, smarter.”

Offseason trainer here?

“Uye (Mark Uyeyama) here, and I’ve got Bennie Wylie, my old Texas Tech trainer. I went back to my roots.”

And you were getting over a hamstring?

“Yeah, it’s just a hamstring. Some guys treat their hamstring and don’t even make the news. I guess mine is just there, you know